Tom Blue facts for kids
Tom Blue (died 1910) was an enslaved person who worked for Sam Houston, a famous leader in Texas history. Tom Blue was Houston's personal helper and drove his carriage for almost 30 years. In 1862, he bravely escaped to Mexico, where he could live as a free man. Later in his life, he settled in Harrisburg, Texas, and got married. He was known for saying he was very, very old!
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Tom Blue's Early Life
Tom Blue was born in Pennsylvania sometime between 1790 and 1817. He had a mixed background, with both West Indian and European heritage. He was enslaved in Kentucky and managed to escape in 1832. He later lived in Houston, Texas, during a time when many people remembered seeing a huge meteor shower in the sky.
Life with Sam Houston
Enslaved During Houston's Military Career
Sam Houston was a very important figure in Texas history. After being the Governor of Tennessee, he moved to Mexican Texas in 1832. In 1834, Sam Houston bought Tom Blue in Tennessee.
Houston became the commander of the new Texas army. On April 21, 1836, Houston's army fought the Mexican army in the Battle of San Jacinto. Even though they were outnumbered, the Texans won this important battle. Tom Blue said he was with Houston at this battle. He even helped care for the captured Mexican general, Antonio López de Santa Anna.
After the battle, Houston was hurt in his foot. He traveled to New Orleans for medical care. Later that year, Sam Houston was elected the first president of the Republic of Texas.
Tom Blue's Role in the Houston Household
Tom Blue was Sam Houston's bodyguard and coachman, meaning he drove Houston's carriage. People described Tom Blue as a "fine-looking mulatto" who spoke and acted like a very polite gentleman.
When Sam Houston became the Governor of Texas, he had twelve enslaved people. Tom Blue, along with Joshua Houston and Jeff, helped move Houston's family and their belongings to the Governor's Mansion in Austin, Texas. There wasn't enough space in the mansion for everyone, so the enslaved men lived in quarters near the stables.
Sam Houston loved to travel a lot. Because of this, his family and the people he enslaved, like Tom Blue, became very good at moving around often. They would pack up quickly and travel long distances in a large carriage pulled by four horses.
Tom Blue's Journey to Freedom
In the fall of 1862, Tom Blue left Huntsville, Texas, and headed for Mexico. He traveled with another young man named Walter Hume, who was also enslaved by Houston. Tom Blue spoke in a refined way and looked like he might be from Spain. So, they pretended that Tom Blue was Walter's owner to stay safe during their journey. Once they reached Laredo, Texas, Tom Blue crossed the border into Mexico, where he finally became a free man.
Some stories say that Tom Blue ran away just before Sam Houston planned to free the people he enslaved. It was said that Houston told them about Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which would free enslaved people starting in 1863. However, the Emancipation Proclamation was not officially announced in Texas until June 1865, a day now celebrated as Juneteenth.
Tom Blue's Later Life
After gaining his freedom, Tom Blue worked at the Harris County Courthouse. He later received a pension, which is like a regular payment, from the county. On September 2, 1909, he married Camille Milton, who was about 30 years old. At the time, Tom Blue said he was 119 years old.
Tom Blue lived most of his life in Harris County, Texas. He was a very religious man who often quoted from the Bible and went to church in Harrisburg. He never learned to read or write.
Tom Blue passed away in Harrisburg in July 1910 due to old age. He was buried in the Harrisburg-Jackson Cemetery. A Texas historical marker mentions him as one of the important African American citizens buried there.
Images for kids
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Tom Blue, enslaved by General Sam Houston, ran away and joined the Mexican military
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Washington Bogart Cooper, American frontiersman and statesman Sam Houston (1793–1863), 1845, Tennessee Portrait Project
